Photomatrix device

ABSTRACT

A device for the physiotherapeutic irradiation of spatially extensive pathologies by light with the help of a matrix of the sources of optical radiation such as lasers or light diodes placed on the surface of a substrate whose shape is adequate to the shape of the zone of pathology is disclosed. In addition, the device contains stops and a holder to fix the substrate against the bioobject. Additional modules are provided to adjust the temperature, pressure, gas composition over the pathological area. As a source of radiation, chemical reactions accompanied by the luminescence of the products of reaction are suggested. The power supply unit can be autonomous with remote feeding through pulse magnetic field. A supplementary hood optically transparent is provided to localize the pathology as well as the strips that scatter the radiation to get a more uniform bioobject&#39;s exposure. Application: light-therapy to treat various extensive pathologies on the bioobject&#39;s surface including dermatology, cosmetology; the treatment of traumas, bruises, oedemas, varicose veins, blood therapy, treatment of infectious processes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention concerns medicine and biology, in particular, it concernsphysiotherapy and photobiology and it deals with the therapeuticinfluence of light on various human being's organs, micro-organisms andplants in combination with other kinds of energy, including magneticfield, electrostimulation, mechanical therapy, vacuum-therapy, etc.

PREVIOUS LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

A device for light-therapeutic influence on different human being'sareas is known; it consists of the sources of optical radiation, forexample, such as lasers or light diodes coupled with a power supply unitand a timer [Illarionov V.E. Fundamentals of laser therapy, Moscow,Respect, 1992, pp. 26, 31, 71-80]. Sources of radiation are placedseparately or installed into anglepoised heads or connected with lightfibers, through which the radiation is directed onto the bioobject. Thedisadvantage of such devices is the difficulty in creating the uniformlight exposure over extensive pathological zones on the human being'sbody, especially when these zones have complex spatial geometry.

The closest device, in technical terms, is a combined therapeuticdevice, which consists of several narrow-band sources in form of lightdiodes with the radiation wavelengths varying in the spectrum range from0.25 μm to 2 μm [1]. The sources of radiation can operate either in acontinuous mode or in a pulse one with a wide range of frequencies andpulse profiles. The sources of radiation are usually placed at thebutt-end parts of anglepoised hands, which can be fixed against theshell of a power supply unit with the help of special holders.

The drawbacks of these device are the impossibility to irradiateextensive pathological zones when they are located, for instance, ondifferent sides of the bioobject, which is typical, in particular, forburns, oedemas or dermatological pathologies that involve all sides of alimb; difficulty in selective irradiation of a surface with complexgeometry in accordance with the given pattern of irradiation, forexample, elbow and knee bents, the upper side of the head, areas of thealimentary tract, sex organs, etc. with the simultaneous exception ofneighbouring areas from the process of irradiation; the impossibility ofestablishing a required distance between the sources of radiation andbioobject along the whole pathological zone, particularly, to avoid thedanger of potential touching a wounded or burnt surface by the sourcesat involuntary movements of the patient; excessive locality and low doseof influence with respect to the whole pathology in photodynamic therapyof voluminous tumours or in the above-skin irradiation of blood.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In order to exclude the shortcomings mentioned, i.e., to increase theeffectiveness of light therapy when treating extensive pathologicalzones with a complex geometry, the device is equipped with the sourcesof radiation with a singular spectrum range or various spectrum rangeswhich are connected with a control unit, a power supply unit andsupplementary physiotherapeutic modules (ultrasonic, vacuum, magnetic,electric and other kinds of therapy) placed outside, in particular, on asubstrate whose shape is similar to the shape of the spatially extensivepathological zone. Indicatrixes of radiation for each source and theirposition in space around the bioobject are oriented so as to provide therequired distribution, for example, a uniform light exposure within thearea of interest. Wavelengths of the sources are chosen on the basis ofconcurring the absorption wavelengths of biomolecules of both exogenousand endogenous origins.

The sources of radiation (emitters) in the case of a relatively smoothchange of the surface relief are placed uniformly on the substrate.Their number N, the distance between them d and the power for each ofthem P can approximately be determined from the system of interconnectedexpressions: $\begin{matrix}{{{P \approx \frac{I\quad \pi \quad R^{2}}{k}};}\quad} & (1) \\{{d \leq \frac{2R}{k}};} & (2) \\{{N \geq \frac{I\quad S}{P\quad \tau}},} & (3)\end{matrix}$

where I—the intensity of radiation on the bioobject's surface with thepathological zone square S; R—the mean radius of the light spot on thebioobject produced by a single source of radiation that is determinedthrough the equation R=h·tg α, where h—the average distance between thesurface of the substrate and the bioobject; α—the half-angle ofdivergence of radiation from the source; τ—losses of radiation inoptical systems (0≦τ≦1); k—the ratio that takes into consideration thedegree of overlapping the light beams on the bioobject's surface (1k≦N).

In order to introduce the average distance h between the object and thesource of radiation and to avoid their touching, additional stops areplaced between the source of radiation and bioobject. For instance,these stops can be made in form of spring elements connected with thesubstrate at one side and with flexible rings, which grasp the bioobject(for example, a limb), at the other side. To get the best usage of theradiation scattered or reflected from the bioobject, the surface of thesubstrate between the sources of radiation is made mirror-like. In orderto fix the substrate against the bioobject, a holder in form of, forinstance, adhesive tape is introduced. A commutation unit, coupled withthe control unit, and other physiotherapeutic modules as well as thebiological sensors of feedback connected with the commutation unit areintroduced additionally, which provides the switching of the sourceswith different spectrum ranges and supplementary physiotherapeuticmodules in accordance with a program given, for example, it can providetheir separate or simultaneous operation.

Apart from that, the substrate can be furnished with side flanges, whichhave elastic edges bordering on the bioobject's surface, to provide theair-tightness of the space over the pathological area, with additionalmodules connected with the corresponding control units being installedinto the substrate to regulate the temperature, pressure and gascomposition over the pathological area as well as to bring variousmedicinal and other substances, for instance, magnetic fluids andsprays.

Moreover, a hood transparent for the radiation is introduced between thesurfaces of the substrate and bioobject, with its edges adjoining thebioobject's surface, into which the physiotherapeutic modules enumeratedabove are installed.

Furthermore, a flexible elastic strip grasping the pathological areatightly is introduced between the surfaces of the substrate andbioobject; the strip is suffused with a medicinal compound and istransparent for the optical-range radiation employed.

The light sources can be made in form of distant ends of light-guidesconnected with the corresponding sources of radiation, in particular,with lasers installed into the substrate, with the semi-mirror-likediffusive strip following the bioobject's shape and being placed betweenthe surfaces of the substrate and bioobject. A required distribution ofradiation, including a uniform one, over a large surface can also beachieved with the help of the system of splitting mirrors.

The control and commutation units together with the autonomous powersupply unit can be placed immediately on the substrate, with the powersupply unit being made either as a one-time operation unit using thepacket of miniature batteries or as a re-usable operation unit at theexpense of using re-chargeable batteries. Remote power supply isrealised by inductive coil coupled with the sources of radiation andadditional physiotherapeutic modules, in particular, with electrodes foran electrostimulator, and an external source of pulse electromagneticfield with the following parameters: the pulse width is about10⁻⁶-10⁻²sec, the tension of the magnetic field is 10⁻³-10 Tesla, thefrequency of repetition is 1-10³ Hz.

The source of optical radiation can also be made in form of a concavityshaped in the substrate having optical windows filled with chemicalsubstances, in which the radiation is formed in the course of chemicalreactions between separate substances or as a result of non-linearinteractions of the radiation from the primary sources of radiation withthe substances by means of various physical effects, including thedoubling of harmonics, combinational scattering and fluorescence.

In all the modifications of photomatrix systems enumerated above thesubstrate can be made of rigid materials such as metal, plastic,polymerised substance, glass, ceramics, or other materials. The sourcesof radiation can be fixed mechanically or with the help of glue. Atrelatively small caviture of the surface, the substrate can be made as amonolithic integrated chip with hybrid microcristalline light diodes orlasers soldered-in. Given the high density of placing the light diodesand high feeding electric currents, it is necessary to introduce acooling system on both the working surface of the substrate turned tothe bioobject and its external side, for example, with help ofmicro-fans.

If the spatial geometry is very complex and causes certain difficultiesin creating continuous rigid matrix, the latter should be made ofseparate segments with a flat or nearly flat working surface attached toeach other with a rigid or flexible bond. The simplest form of thesesegments is rectangular and they can be manufactured in form ofintegrated chips, grasping the pathologic area, for example a limb,uniformly on all sides. The size of separate segments and their shapeshould trace the relief of the surface.

Using compact and light sources of radiation, for instance, lightdiodes, it is likely to fix them to a soft flexible substrate such as apiece of medical fabric, gauze, adhesive tape which at wrapping orgrasping adopts the shape of the pathological area. A protectivetransparent substrate or film can be introduced near the sources ofradiation to isolate them from the bioobject, which is indispensable fordisinfection. Each source of radiation can have its independent optics,for example, positive or negative lenses or diffusive coating, inparticular, on the surface of light diodes, which provides there-distribution of energy of radiation within a wide angle: up to 180°.It is also workable to utilise a common diffusive screen for all thesources.

In the first place in this invention it is suggested to use compactsemiconductor hybrid lasers and light diodes emitting within a widerange of spectrum and possessing a broad range of technical parameters.Nevertheless, one can employ compact discharge and luminescent lamps aswell as sources operating in the radio-wave range. It is promising toutilise photomatrix systems in photodynamic therapy of both malignantand non-malignant diseases. In order to irradiate extensive oncologicaltumours, external matrixes with lasers or light diodes can be applied.Modern semiconductor technology allows one to reach the flux from lightdiodes up to 200 mW/cm² over the square up to 1,000-2,000 cm² at thewavelength of absorption for widely known photosensitizers in the rangefrom 0.63 to 0.8 μm. It is also suggested to densely place light diodeswithin cylindrical and spherical probes and catheters to use themjointly with endoscopic techniques during irradiation of tumours in thealimentary tract or when puncturing tissues.

Among non-malignant applications of photodynamic therapy, it issuggested to utilise photomatrixes to treat various dermatologicdiseases and infectious processes largely due to the bactericidal actionof photosensitizers through generating active radicals and singletoxygen. Since any photosensitizer is able to kill only determine kindsof bacteria, its universality can be increased by means of usingphotomatrixes with different wavelengths so as to irradiatephotosensitizer mixtures with different absorption bands. In order toprovide the additional intermingling of the photosensitizer in thesolution over the pathological zone, it is suggested to employ anultrasonic device whose working tip is placed into correspondingsolution. Radicals will be formed in the solution in force of thecavitation effect, i.e., one can realise the combined mode ofphotosonodynamic therapy.

In addition, it is suggested to utilise high-power infrared light diodes(up to 0.5-5 W) that provide the short-term heating of pathologic zonesup to 40-41° C. to enhance blood microcirculation, which is healthful attreating arthritis. The heating of bioobject's surface, which is incontact with the photomatrix, can be actualised through heating thephotomatrix itself.

Compactness, lightness and flexibility of the photomatrixes allowcombining them with other therapeutic techniques, in particular, withapparatuses for magnetic therapy and electrostimulation. This can bereached by means of installing photomatrixes into devices, whichgenerate both continuous and pulse magnetic fields, for instance,solenoids with flat and cylindrical geometry. It is also suggested thatphotomatrixes be combined with electrostimulators through dockingelectrodes at the edges of photomatrixes or in form of multi-electrodesystems, for example, small metal needles placed between the sources ofradiation.

The photomatrixes' shape can be chosen arbitrarily but it should bemaximally adapted to the geometry of the pathological area.Particularly, the following shapes have been suggested: in form of afacial mask, glove, gadgets that follow the internal shape of the nose,ear, mouth and other inner concavities; built into transurethral,transrectal catheters, gynaecological probes. Matrixes with the shapesthat permit one to uniformly wrap the areas of adipose tissueaccumulation, for instance, on the stomach, neck, thighs are alsosuggested to transform, for example by means of using thephotosensitizers, the adipose tissue into soluble compounds that can beeliminated out of the organism easily. The photomatrixes suggested areeasy to put into human being's clothes, bed constant wear garment,subjects of household activities (watches, spectacles, bracelets, etc.)to irradiate the body according to a special program so as to regulatehis or her mood, to influence the biological rhythms, immune system,blood. It is feasible to locate photomatrixes on the outside part oflow-pressure chambers, incubators for new-borns, transparent chambers toconduct photobiological investigations of photosynthesis andagricultural experiments. The usage of infrared sources in so-calledwindows of transparency for biological tissues allows providing theuniform exposure of some internal organs, particularly, the lungs totreat tuberculosis, the brain to accelerate the production of a numberof biological molecules such as serotonin.

Thanks to the features marked above, the device declared is the first toprovide the effective treatment of spatially extensive pathologicalzones, including oedemas, varicose veins, dermatologic and oncologicdiseases, extensive infectious and inflammatory processes (ulcers, puswounds, etc.), it also provides the efficient light-therapy of blood,therapy of yellow jaundice, etc.

The most significant difference is that the shape of the substrate withthe sources of radiation traces the shape of the pathological zoneirradiated with any configuration and square, which have neverpreviously been achieved. Using this device, it is practicable touniformly irradiate the whole face, head (cosmetology, dermatology), sexorgans (treatment of prostatitis, impotence), elbow and knee joints,woman's breast, limbs including feet and hand fingers, as well as thewhole human being's body.

Any sources of radiation can be taken but the most promising onesaccording to the overall dimensions and economic reasons, as it has beenmentioned above, are the semiconductor lasers of a small size andsuper-miniature light diodes emitting radiation in a spectrum range of0.25 μm up to 2-3 μm. Numerous fundamental investigations have shownthat biological action of laser and light diode sources of radiationwith a relatively narrow emitting band up to 15-20 nm is practicallyidentical, with the absorption width of basic biostructure componentsbeing quite wide: up to 40-60 nm, which allows the utilisation ofnon-laser sources of radiation in medicine. In the capacity of thesources of radiation with the required spectrum range, the radiation ofchemeluminescence caused by the chemical reactions of a number ofsubstances can also be employed. When one uses relatively bulky andcumbersome lasers, it is feasible to employ the standard delivery ofradiation towards the bioobject through light-guides. However, in orderto irradiate extensive areas, it is requisite to utilise a multi-fibresystem, in which separate fibres are gathered in one tight plait and atthe end of the plait the fibres are attached to separate areas of thesubstrate, with a diffusive semi-mirror-like (semi-transparent) stripbeing introduced to produce a more uniform exposure, which provides therequired effect by dint of re-reflecting and scattering the radiationwithin this strip. The minimum number of sources of radiation isdetermined in accordance with the expressions (1)-(3) to satisfy therequired degree of overlapping the light zones from each source ofradiation on the bioobject's surface. To make use of the radiation withbetter efficiency, in particular, to use the radiation reflected fromthe bioobject, the working surface of the substrate should be mademirror-like. The beneficial advantage of this invention is the presenceof stops, which establish the mean distance between the surfaces of thesubstrate and bioobject, and a holder that fixes the substrate on thepatient's body. In this case there is no necessity for the patient to beimmovable during the therapeutic procedure and there is no possibilityfor the sources of radiation to accidentally touch ulcers, pus wounds orburns, even if the distance between the surface of the substrate and thebioobject is small and if the spatial geometry is complex.

According to the analysis conducted, different physiotherapeutictechniques supplement each other favourably and in combination they canprovide a significant treating response. In this invention, thisadvantage is provided particularly by means of using both light-therapyand electromagnetic therapy. The sources of continuous or pulse magneticfield are placed on the substrate or near it and influence the bioobjectsequentially or synchronically with the light radiation, which is set bythe commutation unit. In the device depicted, a feedback channel isworked out operating on the basis of various biosensors (acoustic,rheographic, temperature, etc.) that register the corresponding effectsof combined influence on the organism and manage the cure processthrough the commutation unit.

In this device, due to the creation of the air-tight space over the areaof pathology, a unique opportunity exists to change the parameters oflocal environment, including the temperature, pressure, gas composition,etc. For example, the concentration of oxygen can be reduced throughinstilling some inert gas to suppress infectious processes. There existsthe possibly to periodically or continuously introduce drugs on the topof a wound simultaneously with the irradiation, which permits therealisation of, for instance, a local photodynamic therapy technique totreat either malignant or non-malignant ailments, in the latter case bydint of utilising the accompanying bactericidal effect. The closedair-tight space can be realised with the help of placing a hoodtransparent for the radiation, in which it is possible to create, forexample, air rarefaction, as it has been actualised in vacuum-therapy.One of promising applications of this combined photovacuum therapy is totreat men's impotence. There is also a module to measure the bioobject'stemperature to realise combined photo-hyperaemia or crio-therapy.

In order to realise combined photodrug therapy besides the forcedintroducing of drugs into the pathological zone, it is practicable toplace a thin strip or gauze suffused with a drug, for instance, withphotogem or photosens, immediately on the bioobject's surface. This isimportant while treating various oncological and dermatologicaldiseases. This strip, made of thin elastic material, can wrap thepathological area tightly, for example a limb, which allows one torealise a unique combined method of photomechanical therapy of oedemas.In the case of employing super-miniature light diodes with a relativelylow electrical power consumption, it is feasible to use a compact powersupply unit placed right on the substrate. Thanks to this, it ispossible to realise a unique method of treating, for instance, varicoseveins by dint of compact and light device attached immediately on thepatient's leg that will make it possible for the patient to move freely,for example, in the out-patient or home conditions under the doctor'ssupervision.

Thus, in general, a quite universal combined phototherapeutic device issuggested, which alloys many unique peculiarities and this permitsincreasing the effectiveness of light-treatment with respect to a numberof severe diseases, which has never previously been possible to realise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a general scheme of the device.

FIG. 2—an examples of photomatrix devices to irradiate different organs.

FIG. 2A is a front view of the substrate 15 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3—a photomatrix for body's surface (<<photoplaster>>)).

FIG. 4—photovacuum therapy with regard to urology.

FIG. 5—a laser system to irradiate extensive zones:

a) multi-fibre system;

b) single-fibre system.

FIG. 6 demonstrates a device operating on the basis of endoscopicirradiation of tube organs:

a) of a big diameter;

b) of a small diameter.

FIG. 7—the device to irradiate a hand:

a) palm <<laser (light) glove>>);

b) elbow bent.

FIG. 8—the irradiation of the whole human being's body: light (laser)bath or shower:

a) in the semi-plane;

b) of the whole body.

FIG. 9 presents pulse photomatrix systems with solenoids of differentshapes.

a) on the basis of Helmholtz coils;

b) separate element of a photomagnet system;

c) cylindrical geometry.

FIG. 10—Combined endoscopic system with distant power supply;

FIG. 11. Combined implantable system with distant power supply for:

a) photodynamic therapy;

b) electrooptical stimulation of the acoustic nerve.

FIG. 12 presents a semi-rigid photomatrix system made of separatesegments.

On FIG. 13—the principle of distribution of optical sources in space atirradiating complex surface.

WAYS OF REALISING THE INVENTION

The device presented in FIG. 1 works as follows. The sources ofradiation 1 in form of light-diodes, according to the time mode of thecontrol unit 2 (pulse or continuos), irradiate the bioobject 3, forexample, a limb with the purpose of treating fracture, foot ulcer orskin pathologies. The bioobject 3 is simultaneously influenced, forinstance, by pulse magnetic field that is regulated by the unit 4(solenoids placed along the bioobject are not shown). In order tosynchronise the influence with the organism's biorhythms, in particularwith the patient's pulse, a photopletismographic sensor 5 is involved,the output signal of which is accepted by the commutation unit 6. Thissignal carries information about the patient's pulse and blood-fillingcapacity, which is used to handle the treatment process. In particular,after reaching the maximum of bloodflow and its subsequent reduction,the treatment process is terminated. The additional modules 7 togetherwith the control units 8 are used to change the gas mixture andtemperature in the space over the pathological area confined by thesubstrate 9 and flanges 10. The latter are also utilised to fix andstabilise the distance between the sources of radiation 1 and thebioobject's surface 3. The power supplies unit 11 serves to feed boththe sources of radiation and additional physiotherapeutic modules.

In FIG. 2 the possible shapes of the substrates to irradiate variousorgans of the human being are presented. In particular, the mask 12 withthe built-in sources of radiation 1 follows the shape of the bioobject(the face) and has been designed for cosmetological purposes to improvethe blood microcirculation and metabolism of skin and to smoothwrinkles. The substrate 13 in form of a semi-sphere is employed toirradiate the head in both cosmetology to treat baldness and activatethe brain bloodflow at rehabilitation of patients affected by insult orcerebral palsy. The substrate 14 in form of a headphone with built-insources of radiation is utilised to treat the inflammatory ailments ofthe ear: otitis, neuritis of the acoustic nerve, etc. The substrate 15by its form resembles dentures and is used to irradiate the whole mouthincluding the concavities near gums. The substrate 16 envelopes part ofthe neck and are employed to treat osteohondrosis and neuritis of theneck nerve. The substrate 17 traces the shape of the woman's breast andis used to treat inflammatory processes as well as to conductphotodynamic therapy of the mammary gland affected by the malignanttumour.

FIG. 3 shows the simplified construction of <<(photoplaster)>> in formof a substrate that repeats the shape of the bioobject 3 with a wound orfuruncles. The thin bactericidal plaster or strip 18 suffused with adrug, in particular, photosensitizer used in photodynamic therapy is putover the wound. Then, the flexible substrate 19 with the built-insources of radiation 1 is positioned on top. The stops 20 made ofmedical rubber serve to stabilise the distance between the sources ofradiation, whereas the ordinary adhesive tape 21 serves to fix thephotoplaster to the bioobject.

FIG. 4 demonstrates the combined device to realise photovacuum therapy.The vacuum-therapy technique has been employed in urology when treatingimpotence for a long time, the essence of which consists in puttingcylindrical or conic hood 22 on the penis 23 and its squeezing to thebody at the groin. Afterwards, rarefaction is created in the hood withthe help of the pump 24 through the channel 25, under the influence ofwhich the arterial bloodflow is increased and the products of theinflammatory process are removed out of the acinus channels. Toadditionally enhance the microcirculation in capillaries and to treatsurface pathologies, the irradiation of external surface of thebioobject is carried out with the help of sources of radiation 1 builtinto the conic substrate 26. For more convenience, the stops 20 made ofmedical rubber stuck to the substrate and grasping it are introducedinto the photomatrix system scheme.

FIG. 5a illustrates the matrix system, in which the distant ends oflight-guides 27 serve as the sources of radiation, with the light-guidesbeing collected into a single plait whose but-end is irradiated by thesource of radiation 28. The ends of the light-guides are fixed to thesubstrate 29. In order to create a more uniform exposure of thebioobject 3, an additional strip 30 with partially mirror-like surfacesis introduced, in which the radiation is re-distributed over thebioobject's surface at the expense of re-reflection. Besides thesubstrate 29, the radiation can be introduced through the light-guide 27(FIG. 5b) into the diffusive partially mirror-like strip 30, in which italso is re-distributed and elucidates various zones of the bioobject.

In the case of necessity the irradiation of inaccessible internalconcavities, for example, the rectum, can be achieved utilising thecylindrical substrate 31 (FIG. 6a), in which the sources of radiation 1are located on the external surface of the substrate flush with it.Irradiated concavities with relatively small diameter, for instance, theurethra 32, the sources of radiation can be placed in the central axialpart of the cylindrical substrate made of optically transparent material(FIG. 6b).

While treating various pathologies of the palm (dermatological ones ortwisted wrists, fractures, oedemas, cuts, etc.), it is possible toutilise the substrate 33 that traces the shape of the palm and fingers(FIG. 7a). In this case, the sources of radiation 1 are located on theinternal side of the substrate 33 in form of a glove (<<photoglove>>)grasping the bioobject's surface 3. It is also feasible to builtmicroelectrostimulators into the substrate to treat neurologic diseases.When treating traumas of the elbow or knee bents (FIG. 7b), thesubstrate 33 is made in form of an elbow-cover or knee-cover, as it isused in some sports games, on the inner side of which the sources ofradiation 1 are placed. In the latter case, it is practicable to employa device that resembles a lamp reflector (dot line in FIG. 7b) on whoseinternal side the sources are positioned.

At irradiation the whole body (bioobject 3) (FIG. 8a), it is possible touse the construction of the substrate put on a coach 34 in form of an<<arch>> or <<knight armours>> 35, the inner side of which has a myriadof sources of radiation 1. A simpler solution consists in using separatesections in form of semi-cylinders with certain geometry where thesources of radiation are placed on their internal side. Thesesemi-cylinders are put on an ordinary coach 34, on which a human body(bioobject 3) is positioned. Such photomatrixes are quite promising totreat extensive dermatological pathologies, for example, burns orulcers, to conduct over-skin blood therapy, treatment of yellow jaundiceusing light diodes of the blue range of spectrum to destroy bilirubin inblood. Treated the infectious deseases of new-borns, the matrixes of theblue range can be put to the outside walls of ordinary incubators thatare transparent for the radiation. Irradiated the patient on all sidessimultaneously, for example, while treating burns or in general therapy(FIG. 8b), the patient is placed on a coach 34 transparent for theradiation or on a net such as a hammock, which in their turn areinserted inside the <<arch>> or <<knight armours>> 35 whose innersurface is strewn with the sources of radiation and repeats the shape ofthe human being's body.

FIG. 9 presents different variations of the combined photomagneticsystem. In the case of a complex shape (FIG. 9a), the magnet modules 36together with the separate sources of radiation 1, for instance, in formof Helmholtz coils (FIG. 9b) are located over the corresponding area ofpathology, in particular, over the prostate gland. The influence on thisgland is provided by both the matrix of infrared light diodes and by thepulse magnetic field induced by a pulse electric current flowing throughseparate solenoids (FIG. 9b) gathered into a matrix (FIG. 9a). When itis required that a limb (bioobject 3) (FIG. 9c) be treated, the pulsemagnetic field, produced by modules 36 of solenoids, influences thepathological area, with the matrixes of the sources of radiation 1 beingpositioned between solenoids.

At endoscopic applications, separate sources of radiation are not placedon the internal side of the substrate, as it has been described earlier,for they are located on the external side of the substrate (FIG. 10). Acylindrical capsule 37 with the electrostimulator electrodes 38 andsources of radiation 1 on the on the outside is introduced into thebioobject, in particular, into the alimentary tract. An inductive coil39 is built into the capsule, the capsule shell 40 being made ofbiologically inert material. A field magnet 41 is positioned on theexternal side of the bioobject and manages the location of the capsule37, where in this case the magnet micromodules are built in. The sourceof the pulse magnetic field 42 serves to induce electromotive force inthe coil 39 to feed the electrostimulator and the source of radiationoperating in the time mode determined by the unit 42. The operationalprinciple is quite simple. The capsule with a size of 6×15 mm can beswallowed by the patient and then after its natural passing through thestomach it can be fixed in a certain zone of the intestines determinedwith help ultrasonic diagnostics. Afterwards, the unit 42 is switched onand in accordance with a mode required it provides the combinedelectrooptical influence on the intestines walls. The capsule can alsobe inserted from the side of the rectum. This microcapsule can be aseparate micromodule within an endoscopic microrobot designed to conductdiagnostic and treating procedures. Separate sources of radiationtogether with the micro-inductors collected into a matrix allow theirradiation of pathological zones without using accumulators andcorresponding electrical wires. This allows one to place a compactphotomatrix, for example under a bandage or into the mouth.

FIG. 11 presents schemes of implanting the device suggested. In the caseof malignant pathology with inner localisation 43, the matrix of sourcesof radiation is implanted near the pathological zone, with their powersupply being provided with the help of the external unit 44. This schemeis encouraging for the realisation of photodynamic therapy of cancerwhen the radiation emitting from ordinary sources of radiation usinglight-guides is improbable to non-invasively irradiate the malignantpathology that contains photosensitizers. This is typical, for example,for the mammary and thyroid cancer. The sizes of the sources ofradiation are about Ø3 mm×1 mm, which makes it practicable to implantthem into the human being's organism. FIG. 11b illustrates the placingof the sources of radiation implanted in various zones of the ear withthe purpose of combined electrostimulation of the acoustic nerve totreat, particularly, neuritis.

FIG. 12 gives an example of the photomatrix system, the substrate ofwhich consists of separate segments. The bioobject's surface 3 in thismodel is grasped by separate segments 45 whose shape is, for instance,rectangular. Within each segment, the sources of radiation 1, forexample light diodes, are uniformly strewn. The segment can be made inform of a monolithic integrated chip with the soldered-in hybridlight-diode crystallines covered by the substrate 46 transparent for theradiation that simultaneously plays the role of a stop, providing themean distance between the surfaces of the bioobject and light diodes.The separate segments are attached to each other by a flexiblespring-like bond. FIG. 12 shows the cross section of the construction.In the other direction, the segments can have a large dimension and inits turn they can be split into dividable sections. Such a constructioncan be utilised to irradiate limbs, the neck as well as to cover thewhole body near the stomach, lungs or sex organs.

FIG. 13 presents the generalised scheme that explains the principle ofconstructing and the methods of calculation with respect to thephotomatrix systems mentioned above. The bioobject 3 with a complexshape is grasped by the substrate 47, on which the sources of radiation1 are placed, in particular, the light diodes. The conditional signs:h—the mean distance between the surfaces of the substrate and bioobject,d—the distance between the neighbouring sources of radiation, R—theradius of the light spot on the bioobject's surface, α—the half-angle ofthe radiation divergence from the source of radiation. The estimatedbasic parameters can approximately be derived from the expressions(1)-(3). For example, to reach a flux of I=100 mW/cm² on the bioobject'ssurface, which is indispensable for photodynamic therapy, when thesingle light diode power is P=10 mW at the irradiation of dermatologicalpathology with the overall square 400 cm² in accordance with theexpression (3) for τ≈1, it is necessary to employ 4,000 light diodes or10 light diodes per 1 cm² of the substrate. Changing the indicatrix ofthe light diodes' irradiation with the help of optical systems, one canregulate the size of the light spots on the bioobject produced by aseparate light diode as well as the degree of their overlapping. Inorder to create a uniform exposure, the light beams should at leasttouch each other, i.e., in this case k=1 and the expression (2) givesthe following d≅2R. To create a more uniform exposure, it is required toprovide a more intense overlapping of the beams (k>2), which can beattained through increasing the angle α and reducing the distancebetween the sources of radiation d. This leads to the decrease in therequired power for each light diode with the simultaneous increase inthe total amount of the sources of radiation.

Examples of concrete realisations of the device.

THE BEST VARIATION

Photomatrix device to treat various pathologies of limbs: bruises,fractures, burns, oedemas, infectious wounds, ulcers of differentorigin, arthritis, dermatological pathologies including skin cancer,psoriasis, keloids, etc. as well as to realise photodynamic therapy onthe basis of photosensitizers with regard to both oncological andnon-oncological ailments. The geometric form of the device: an oblonghollow cylinder with the light diodes placed on the inner side, with theoutput windows turned inside the cylinder. The form of the internalsurface depends on the bioobject's shape and can be close tocylindrical, conic or their combination. There is an example of thecylindrical section to treat post-mastectomical oedemas of the woman'shand after the radical operation in respect to mammary cancer. Thissection has the diameter of 200 mm, length 300 mm and was made ofplastic and consists of two parts that can open to ease fixation on thepatient's hand. The 240 <<Kirhbright>> light diode sources of radiationare placed on the inner side of the cylinder; the mean distance betweenseparate sources of radiation is 30 mm. The wavelength is 0.67 μm. Thepower of each source of radiation in the continuous mode is 5 mW, theaverage flux on the bioobject's surface being around 1 mW/cm². The lightdiodes are connected sequently-parallelly. The power supply is providedfrom the outlet with 220 V and 50 Hz. Two rubber rings 5 cm in diamconnected with the cylinder surface by dint of three springs placed toeach other at an angle of 120° are placed at the butt-ends of thephotomatrix system. The patient's hand is sequentially introduced intothe two rubber rings and is fixed at the axis of the cylinder by meansof the springs. The total weight of the cylinder is not more that 0.5kg, which allows the patient to be in the vertical position and toeasily endure the load of the device described. The duration of thetherapeutic procedure is 30 min. The number of procedures is 10undergone in the course of 10 days.

If there is a possibility to touch the device presented by the hand'ssurface, it is possible to realise this device in form of several flatsegments of rectangular form with a dimension of 15×60 mm. To provide auniform grasping of the hand at the wrist, the section should involveapproximately 9-12 segments, connected by a flexible bond (FIG. 12). Oneof such sections can be used to conduct therapy of blood and treatmentof local pathologies. In the case of treatment a more extensivepathology, one can utilise up to 4-5 sections of that kind. It isfeasible to locate up to 10 light diodes within one segment in two rowswith five light diodes in each row.

Photoplaster to irradiate the elbow bent with a hit trauma. The form ofthe photomatrix is close to the semi-sphere with a radius of 50 mm. Thewavelength of the red light diodes is 0.63 μm and of the infrared onesis 0.85 μm. The power of radiation is about 10 mW at the wavelength of0.63 μm and 0.3 W at the wavelength of 0.85 μm. The number of lightdiodes is 88. The source of radiation is built into the elbow-cover usedby volleyball-players and is fixed with the help of elastic fabric. Thepower supply is autonomous by dint of two <<Krona>> batteries. Onelight-therapy procedure lasts for 15 min. The total number of proceduresis six, within one week.

Magnet-laser device to treat chronic prostatitis. As the sources ofradiation, semiconductor GaAs lasers with a wavelength of 0.89 μm, peakpower of 5 W, pulse duration of 10(−7) s and repetition rate of 800 Hzare utilised. In the simplest case, one can use one laser placed in thecentre of the solenoid in form of a Helmholtz coil with a diameter of 10cm. This module can be employed autonomously, for instance, to treatnervous-muscular pathologies as well as prostatitis. To irradiateinternal organs, in force of scattering, it is necessary to use 9sources of radiation, one of which is positioned in the centre and therest 8 are placed uniformly on a circle. The magnitude of pulse magneticfield induction at the surface is around 1 Tesla, pulse duration near 1ms. Six solenoids are uniformly placed over the body around the prostategland and fixed by a belt. One procedure takes 20 min. The total numberof procedures is six; the patient should undergo them every other day.

The device with a remote power supply. In the capacity of a source ofradiation, a compact light diode with a size of 3×3 mm is used (Plant<<Start>>, Moscow), its wavelength is 0.65 μm, power 0.5 mW, internalresistance 150 Ohm, feeding current 5 mA. The unit of external powersupply is made as a flat solenoid forming pulse magnetic field with atension of 0.4 Tesla and duration of 1 ms. In a compact inductive coil,this field induces an electromotive force of 10 V, which in a closedcircuit with the load in form of a light diode provides the flowing of acurrent of nearly 12 mA, which is quite enough to feed the light diodes.The light diodes together with the inductive coils of a size of Ø3 mm×5mm are placed on the matrix's surface used to irradiate the mouth (FIG.2, position 6 ). The number of light diodes is 16. Application: thetreatment of inflammatory processes in the mouth.

As the sources of radiation, practically any sources of radiation can beutilised in this invention, which have already been employed inphototherapy, for instance, various types of lasers, light diodes,incandescent lamps with light filters, gas discharge and luminescentlamps (neon, xenon, mercury etc.) etc. In the latter case the dimensionsof gas discharge elements should be minimised. In the case ofirradiating the bioobject in form of close to a cylinder, for example,limbs, the gas discharge flasks can be made as a thin cylinders placeduniformly around the limbs, with their axises being parallel to theaveraged axis of the limb. The mirror-like surface of the substrate cangrasp all this sources of radiation, i.e., the construction of theemitter should resemble the constructions of the pumping sources oflaser systems but the limb is placed in centre instead of the activeelement of the laser. Depending on the medical task, the sources ofradiation can operate in different modes and diverse spectrum rangespredominantly from 0.2 to 3 μm with various monochromatic degrees from10⁻³ to 10³ nm.

What is claimed is:
 1. A photomatrix device for the combined therapeutictreatment of a pathological zone of a patient's body, said pathologicalzone having an extended complex geometric shape, comprising: a pluralityof radiation sources emitting radiation of one or more wavelengths inthe range from ultraviolet to radio and fixed on a substrate to envelopesaid pathological zone, wherein said substrate has a shape conforming tosaid extended complex geometric shape of said pathological zone, aplurality of stops between said pathological zone and said substrate toestablish the distance between said pathological zone and saidsubstrate, a plurality of physiotherapeutic modules, a control unit anda power supply unit operatively connected to said radiation sources andsaid physiotherapeutic modules, and a commutation unit operativelyconnected to said control unit to provide modes of operation inaccordance with a given program of operation, wherein the indicatrixesof radiation from said radiation sources and the positions on saidsubstrate of said radiation sources provide a required distribution ofradiation intensity on said pathological zone and further wherein saidwavelengths of said radiation sources are selected to concur with themaximums of the bioaction spectrum or the bands of absorption ofbiomolecules of both exogenous and endogenous origin including drugcompounds and photosensitizers; and wherein said radiation sources areplaced uniformly over said substrate and wherein the number N, power Pand the distance d between said radiation sources are approximatelydetermined by the following system of interconnected expressions:$\begin{matrix}{{{P \approx \frac{I\quad \pi \quad R^{2}}{k}};}\quad} & (1) \\{{d \leq \frac{2R}{k}};} & (2) \\{{N \geq \frac{I\quad S}{P\quad \tau}},} & (3)\end{matrix}$

where I is the light intensity on the surface of said pathological zone;S is the overall area of the exposed pathological zone; R is the meanradius of the light spot produced by a single radiation source asdetermined by the equation R=h·tgα, where h is the average distancebetween the surfaces of said substrate and said pathological zone; α isthe half-angle of radiation divergence; τ is the radiation loss fromsaid radiation sources to said pathological zone (0≦τ≦1); and k is theratio taking into account the degree of light beams' overlapping on thesurface of said pathological zone (1≦k≦N).
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein said substrate comprises separate rigid segments, wherein saidseparate segments are fixed in space independently as anglepoise hands.3. The device of claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises separatesemi-rigid segments, wherein said separate segments are fixed in spaceindependently as anglepoise hands.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein saidsubstrate comprises separate rigid segments and further wherein saidseparate rigid segments are connected with each other by bonding meansso that said substrate may be adapted to conform to said pathologicalzone by changing the size of said separate rigid segments or the angleor distance between said separate rigid segments.
 5. The device of claim1, wherein said radiation sources are placed on an external side of saidsubstrate and further wherein said radiation is emitted through holes insaid substrate.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein said holes furthercomprise lenses.
 7. The device of claim 5, wherein said holes furthercomprise output windows.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein saidradiation sources further comprise light guides fixed in said substrateand coupled to one or more radiation emitters.
 9. The device of claim 1,wherein said radiation sources further comprise a plurality of opticalbeam splitters coupled to one or more radiation emitters.
 10. The deviceof claim 1, further comprising optical elements between said radiationsources and said pathological zone.
 11. The device of claim 10, whereinsaid optical elements comprise a protective transparent plate.
 12. Thedevice of claim 10, wherein said optical elements comprise a lowabsorption diffuse screen.
 13. The device of claim 10, wherein saidoptical elements comprise a positive lens associated with each of saidradiation source.
 14. The device of claim 10, wherein said opticalelements comprise a negative lens associated with each of said radiationsources.
 15. The device of claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises amirror-like surface between said radiation sources.
 16. The device ofclaim 1, wherein said radiation sources comprise semiconductor hybridlasers operating in a continuous mode.
 17. The device of claim 1,wherein said radiation sources comprise semiconductor hybrid lasersoperating in a pulse mode at a repetition frequency of 1 to 10⁴ Hz and apulse duration of 0.1 to 10⁻⁹ s.
 18. The device of claim 1, wherein saidradiation sources comprise wide-band hybrid light emitting diodes havinga spectrum width up to 0.3 μm and narrow-band hybrid light emittingdiodes emitting in the range of 200 to 2,000 nm with a width of theradiation line from 5 to 40 nm, a power of radiation from 0.1 mW to 1 Wand a radiation indicatrix from 10° to 180°.
 19. The device of claim 1,wherein said radiation sources comprise chemical substances placed intoconfined optically transparent concavities on said substrate whereinradiation is emitted as a result of chemical reactions in said chemicalsubstances.
 20. The device of claim 1, wherein said radiation sourcescomprise optical elements generating secondary emitted radiation fromprimary sources as a result of non-linear effects in said opticalelements.
 21. The device of claim 1, wherein said radiation sourcescomprise optical elements generating secondary emitted radiation fromprimary sources as a result of fluorescence.
 22. The device of claim 1,wherein said substrate extends beyond said pathological zone to adjacentareas of the patient's body.
 23. The device of claim 1, wherein saidradiation sources are selected to emit radiation of a wavelength whichactivates a mixture of photosensitizers.
 24. The device of claim 1,wherein said radiation sources comprise high-power radiation sourcesemitting in the visible and infrared ranges for simultaneousphototherapy and thermal therapy.
 25. The device of claim 1, whereinsaid physiotherapeutic modules comprise at least one magnetotherapymodule.
 26. The device of claim 25, wherein said magnetotherapy modulecomprises a built-in optical source.
 27. The device of claim 26, whereinsaid magnetotherapy module comprises a matrix grasping said pathologicalzone, said matrix comprising flat sources of a magnetic field having amagnetic field strength from 10⁻⁴ to 10 Tesla.
 28. The device of claim25, wherein said magnetotherapy module comprises a plurality ofsolenoids having axes placed parallel to a surface of said pathologicalzone and a plurality of optical sources placed between said solenoids,said solenoids producing a magnetic field having a magnetic fieldstrength of 10⁻⁴ to 10 Tesla.
 29. The device of claim 1, wherein saidphysiotherapeutic modules comprise an electrostimulator having two ormore electrodes contacting the pathological zone.
 30. The device ofclaim 1, wherein said physiotherapeutic modules comprise sources ofacoustic vibrations.
 31. The device of claim 30, wherein a physiologicalsolution is interposed between said sources of acoustic vibration andsaid pathological zone and further wherein said solution comprises adrug and a photosensitizer for combined photosonodynamic therapy. 32.The device of claim 1, wherein said substrate further comprises sideflanges with resilient air-tight edges bordering the pathological zone.33. The device of claim 32 further comprising means for adjusting thetemperature, pressure and composition in the environment over saidpathological zone.
 34. The device of claim 1, wherein saidphysiotherapeutic modules comprise a plurality of cryotherapy modules.35. The device of claim 34, further comprising at least one module forintroducing drugs, chemicals or biological molecules to saidpathological zone.
 36. The device of claim 1, further comprising atransparent hood between said substrate and said pathological area, saidtransparent hood having edges adjoining said pathological zone andfurther comprising a matrix of radiation sources positioned on saidtransparent hood.
 37. The device of claim 36, wherein said transparenthood is connected through a hose with a module adjusting the pressure inthe space under said transparent hood.
 38. The device of claim 32wherein said transparent hood comprises a cylinder having a closed end.39. The device of claim 32, wherein said transparent hood comprises asemi-sphere.
 40. The device of claim 32, wherein said transparent hoodcomprises a truncated cone.
 41. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a flexible elastic strip between said substrate and saidpathological zone, said flexible elastic strip tightly grasping saidpathological zone and said flexible elastic strip further being at leastpartially transparent to said radiation.
 42. The device of claim 41,wherein said flexible elastic strip further comprises a drugpreparation, including photosensitizers.
 43. The device of claim 1,further comprising a closed capsule having walls transparent to saidradiation and enclosing said control unit, said power supply unit, saidcommutation unit, said therapeutic modules and said radiation sources.44. The device of claim 43, further comprising a microstimulator withelectrodes fixed on an external surface of said closed capsule, saidclosed capsule having means for affixing said closed capsule to thepatient's body and means for regulating the position of said closedcapsule.
 45. The device of claim 44, wherein said means for regulatingthe position of said closed capsule comprises a thread having means forsupplying electrical power to said capsule and means for disconnectionfrom said closed capsule.
 46. The device of claim 1, wherein said powersupply comprises one or more inductor coils electrically connected tosaid radiation sources and said therapeutic modules and an externalpulse electromagnetic magnetic device for inducing an electrical currentin said one or more inductor coils.
 47. The device of claim 46, furthercomprising at least one electrostimulator and wherein said radiationsources comprise super-miniature radiation sources whereby saidsuper-miniature radiation sources, said at least one electrostimulatorand said inductor coils may be placed into an inner zone of thepatient's body.
 48. The device of claim 1, wherein said radiationsources comprise a chemical substance, uniformly spread over thepathological zone, said chemical substance being capable of fluorescenceunder the action of external physical factors.
 49. The device of claim1, wherein said substrate comprises a hollow cylinder.
 50. The device ofclaim 1, wherein said substrate comprises a hollow semi-cylinder. 51.The device of claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises a hollowsemi-sphere.
 52. The device of claim 51 wherein said substrate istransparent and said radiation sources are located on an exteriorsurface of said substrate.
 53. The device of claim 1, wherein saidsubstrate comprises a flexible glove.
 54. The device of claim 53 furthercomprising at least one electrostimulator having electrodes in contactwith the skin of the patient's fingers.
 55. The device of claim 1,further comprising a cooling system for cooling said radiation sources.56. The device of claim 1, further comprising a feedback channelcomprising one or more biosensors adapted to be attached to thepathological zone and operatively connected to said control unit. 57.The device of claim 1 further comprising artificial teeth wherein saidradiation sources are built into said artificial teeth.
 58. The deviceof claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises a mask that is adapted tograsp the face of the patient.
 59. The device of claim 58 furthercomprising at least one magnet and at least one electrostimulator. 60.The device of claim 1, wherein said pathological zone is a zone ofadipose tissue accumulation with said wavelength of said radiation beingchosen to maximize activation of photochemical, photothermal,photoacoustic, or photo-dynamic processes to remove adipose tissue andto activate the production of biologically active substances responsiblefor weight regulation and further comprising at least onephotosensitizer introduced to said pathological zone.
 61. The device ofclaim 60, wherein said physiotherapy modules further compriseelectrostimulation, ultrasonic and vacuum therapy modules.
 62. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises a bracelet graspingthe wrist of the patient.
 63. The device of claim 1, further comprisinga timer operatively connected to said control unit for switching saidradiation sources in accordance with the patient's biological rhythms.64. The device of claim 1, wherein said radiation sources are adapted touniformly grasp the zones of the patient's body responsible for immunesystem function and said wavelength of said radiation sources isselected from the red or infrared spectra at a flux of 2 to 200 mW/cm²and a time of exposure of 10 to 50 min. so as to alter the patient'simmune activity through converting antibodies from the non-active intothe active form.
 65. The device of claim 1, wherein said substratecomprises a flexible fillet adapted to uniformly grasping the patient'sbody in the area of the lungs and further wherein said wavelength ofsaid radiation is in the range of the greatest transparency ofbiotissue.
 66. The device of claim 65 further comprising means foradministration of drugs or photosensitizers.
 67. The device of claim 1,wherein said substrate comprises transparent walls of an incubator fornew-born children and further wherein said radiation sources compriseblue light diodes.
 68. The device of claim 1, further comprisingmechanical needles from 5 to 10 μm in length uniformly strewn over thesubstrate, said needles being in contact with said pathological zone,said substrate further comprising means for pressing said needles intosaid pathological zone.
 69. The device of claim 68, wherein saidphysiotherapy modules comprise at least one ultrasound module.
 70. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein said physiotherapy modules comprise at leastone electrophoresis module.
 71. The device of claim 1, wherein saidrequired distribution of radiation intensity is further provided bymeans of a special distribution of the power applied to said radiationsources.
 72. The device of claim 1, wherein said required distributionof radiation intensity is further provided by means of a specialdistribution of masks positioned between said radiation sources and saidpathological zone.
 73. The device of claim 1, wherein said requireddistribution of radiation intensity is further provided by means of aspecial distribution of filters positioned between said radiationsources and said pathological zone.
 74. The device of claim 1, whereinsaid substrate is affixed to objects adjoining the patient's body, andfurther wherein said objects are selected from the group consisting ofthe patient's clothing, a pillow, a blanket, a bedsheet, a veil, theback of a chair, the back of an armchair, a bed, a mattress, and a sofa.75. The device of claim 74, wherein said substrate further comprisesbiologically active agents.
 76. The device of claim 75, wherein a volumeis defined between said substrate and said pathological zone and saidvolume is transparent to said radiation.
 77. The device of claim 1,wherein said pathological zone is located in an internal cavity of thepatient's body and said substrate conforms to said internal cavity. 78.The device of claim 1 wherein said radiation sources comprise compactlamps with light filters.
 79. The device of claim 1, wherein saidsubstrate further comprises a plurality of cooling systems.
 80. Thedevice of claim 79, wherein said cooling systems are in contact with theskin of the patient.